Saracens came into the new age of European rugby with boundless determination and a rather less unconstrained strategy. It was as if their demolition of the same French opponents in last season’s semi-final of the old Heineken Cup – a 46-6 thrashing – had persuaded them that such a result was never to be repeated and respect should be the order of the day. It probably made sense and dutiful toil won the day.
The sense of efficiency was brightened by a bonus-point four tries, a double apiece for two England wings hopeful of a place in Stuart Lancaster’s elite player squad. Chris Ashton ran well, his deer-hound nose sniffing a try beyond the senses of most. He picked up David Strettle’s inside pass for his first try, unperturbed by the hand of Wesley Fofana that knocked the ball to the ground before him. In the second half he exploited poor old Zac Guildford’s attempt to catch a high kick – it was not the former All Black’s greatest day in defence under the high ball – for the runaway try that won the game.
Strettle finished with co-ordinated fusion of limbs and brain in the corner, working out his route despite the proximity of lines and tacklers. One pass came his way from a quick transfer by Alex Goode; the other after a neat tap and snipe by Richard Wigglesworth.
The scrum-half was the principal enforcer of a more conservative approach, following the plan to kick copiously to the Clermont back three, and to Guildford in particular. The reward was evident, although it also allowed Nick Abendanon, once of Bath, to add his name to the long list of very decent England full-backs. It would take a catastrophic chain of events to remove Mike Brown, Ben Foden and Goode from Lancaster’s roster but should the coach ever need a 15 in an emergency, Abendanon made a serious claim to be remembered fondly.
The pursuit of the Wigglesworth kicks was purposeful, the tackling of Brad Barritt and Chris Wyles, as ever, unyielding. However, it still gave Clermont the chance to play and there were glimpses of brilliance, of a team that on its day will touch some giddy heights. First there was a newcomer, the left-footed Camille Lopez, a model of shrewdness, constantly varying his game with laid-back kicks to the corner, passes long and short – Fofana dropped a particularly short one over the line – and a sweet drop goal to complement his place-kicking. Word has it he will play for France very soon.
Guildford made amends for his drops with a spectacular catch in attack, leading to the second of his tries. Everyone took something from the game but perhaps the biggest impression was that this was but a skirmish, with the promise of more unfettered days ahead.
Saracens Goode, Ashton, Wyles (Bosch, 47), Barritt, Strettle; Hodgson (Farrell, 75), Wigglesworth (De Kock, 49); Barrington (Gill, 49), George (Brits 49, George, 75) Du Plessis (Johnston, 71), Kruis, Hargreaves (capt), Brown, Fraser, Vunipola
Tries Ashton 2, Strettle 2 Cons Hodgson 2 Pens Hodgson 2
Clermont Auvergne Abendanon, Nakaitaci, Rougerie (Stanley, 71), Fofana, Guildord; Lopez, Radoslanjevic; Domingo (Chaume, 69), Kayser, Zirakashvili (Ric, 69), Cudmore, Vahaamahina, Lee (Bardy, 69), Bonnaire, Chouly
Tries Guildford 2 Cons Lopez 2 Pens Lopez 2 Drop goal Lopez
Referee J Lacey (Ire) Att 8,050
.jpg?w=600)
